No one every liked being teased in school, and that’s exactly what a big-suited connector can do at the poker table. A suited connector can be like an attractive man or woman, who ends up having a bad personality. They don’t always deliver.

Big-suited connectors, which are suited combinations of A-K, K-Q, Q-J and J-10, offer several possibilities. A-K and K-Q are good on their own and require a raise from any position. The other two are obviously not as strong, but should always be played until at least the flop unless you’re in early position in a loose game. Trying to limp in to see the flop is the prime strategy with Q-J, J-10 suited.

Once the flop is revealed, suited connectors can take you in many directions because of their straight and flush potential. With these connectors, good flops would include a four-flush, open-end straight, trips or two pair. Coming away with a high pair of aces or kings wouldn’t be bad either, depending on what the other two flop cards are.

The edge of starting with two suited cards gives a player a five percent chance of hitting the flush. In a 10-player pot, the win rate for the average pot is 10 percent, making the five percent advantage a big plus over the unsuited connector.

Position takes on a tremendous amount of significance when holding big-suited connectors. It’s always preferable to be dealt big-suited connectors in the late rather than early position. If you end up with top pair, two overcards, a four-flush or open-ended straight, you are left with plenty of outs, and playing to at least the turn is often tempting. For example, if you start with Q-J clubs and the flop is 10 clubs, 8 hearts, 2 clubs, you’re looking at flush and gut-shot straight potential. But potential doesn’t win hands. Aggressive betting does. If you are close to the dealer button and know one has raised in front of you, this is a must-raise situation since it’s likely you have one of the best hands. By raising you’ll chase some of the players holding mediocre pairs or high cards with small kickers.